Ms. Johnson ’ s Classroom Rules

Be on time. Be prepared. Be respectful. Be honest. Be ready to learn. Ms. Johnson’s Classroom Rules

Be on time. • The door is locked and closed when the bell rings. Do not lounge in the doorway • Be in the classroom when the bell rings • Do not argue if you are tardy.

Be prepared. • Leave your binder in class • You are responsible for picking it up and putting it away everyday as part of your daily participation grade. • Always have a writing utensil

Be respectful. • Learn to give others the degree of respect you would want yourself. • Express your opinions appropriately, privately, and calmly, and do not shout or become offensive in any way. • Do not disrespect your peers • Do not disrespect your teacher(s) • Do not use foul language or derogatory phrases or slurs • Respect school property, furniture, supplies, etc.

Be honest. • It is important for me to be able to trust you on both the small and big things, from needing to go to the bathroom, to doing your own work on assignments. • Cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated in this classroom, and school policy will be followed if you are caught being dishonest • Remember that, in the long run, a lie is more costly than the truth • Remember that your word and your actions show others your character

Be ready to learn. • Come to class focused and ready to listen and ready to work • Do not disrupt class or the learning of others • Do not sleep in class

Ms. Johnson’s Classroom Procedures

Beginning Class • The moment you enter the CLASSROOM, you should: • Retrieve your notebook from your class shelf and put it on your desk. • Check the handout table for any new handouts for the day • If you have anything to turn in for the day, turn it in in the appropriate place. This must be done within the first three minutes of class. • Sit down and begin on your Warm-Up, which will always be posted on the board. • Know that copying someone else’s original Warm-Up or Wrap Up work constitutes cheating and will be handled as such.

Writing Utensil • If you do not have a WRITING,utensil, youshould: • Ask one of your classmates first if they have a utensil you can borrow. • Trade an item of value (no clothing, shoes, drugs, weapons, other inappropriate materials) for a writing utensil from me. If you forget to give me back the borrowed utensil, I will keep the item until you return the pen or pencil.

Tardiness • If you are TARDY, you should: • Enter class as quietly as possible, Get your materials without disturbing others and hand in homework as quickly as possible and catch up with the rest of the class.

Tardiness • Know that I will keep track of your tardies and the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken for excessive tardies. I will follow Parkland’s tardy policy, which is, as follows: • 1st Tardy: Warning • 2nd Tardy: Warning • 3rd Tardy: Warning + Parent Phone Call • 4th Tardy: Warning + Parent Phone Call • 5th and all Subsequent Tardies: Office Referral • Tardies are a problem because the time you miss of class is time you are missing instruction, and because your coming into class late causes a distraction for your classmates.

Electronic Devices • If you bring a cell phone, headphones, or other ELECTRONIC device, to class, you should: • Never have it out during class, even if you are just checking the time. Use the clock! • Know that if I see it, whether it is yours or not, I will take it.

Electronic Devices • Know that headphones and speakers are NEVER allowed. • If your phone/electronic device is out and in use during class, I will adhere to the following guidelines: - 1st Offense: Warning - Subsequent Offenses: Take device (will be returned at the end of class) and make a discipline note - Refusal to Surrender Device – discipline referral for insubordination

Turning in Work • When you are TURNING in work, you should: • Make sure your name and date is on it! You will lose five points for each if these items are not filled in. • NEATLY staple anything over one page in the upper left-hand corner. • Place it in the designated location.

Watching a Film • When watching a FILM in class you should: • Understand that watching the film is an important part of the lesson and should be treated as such. • Be an active participant in class while watching a film, which means you need to be attentive and awake, with your head off of your desk and your eyes open. • Remember that failing to be an active participant in class while watching a film will have a negative effect on your participation grade.

Late Work • If you turn in work LATE, you should: • Be familiar with the late work policy, which is listed below: • Work turned in at the end of class or later the same day: 5 points deducted • Work turned in one day late: 10 points deducted • Work turned in two days late: 20 points deducted • Work turned in three days late and any day thereafter: 30 points deducted • Tests/Projects turned in late: 30 points immediately deducted • Know that if points are deducted for late work, remember that the points are deducted from the grade you earn. • Remember to attach a completed late work card to the assignment

Absences and Missing Work • If you have been ABSENT, you should: • Check the Make-Up Work Box for the work done in class and for any necessary handouts from the day you were absent. You can also check your Classroom Calendar to help keep track of what you missed. • Remember that your work must be made up. • Remember that work missed will count as a zero until it is turned in. • Ask a fellow student for the Warm-Up from the day(s) you missed. • Check with me to schedule dates to make up tests and quizzes before or after school.

Absences and Missing Work • Remember that it is YOUR responsibility to get your make-up work and complete it on time. I will not hunt you down to give you your missing work. • Know that, if your make-up work is not made-up in a timely manner, points will be deducted in the following manner: • You get FIVE days to make-up work without any penalty • After FIVE days, you will begin to lose points, based on the following guidelines, on the missing assignments: • Day #6: 10 points deducted • Day #7: 20 points deducted • Day #8 and any day thereafter: 30 points deducted

Binders • When ORGANIZING your notebook, you should: • Have a 1 ½ or 2 inch binder for this class only with FIVE dividers with the following labels: - Warm-Ups - Self-Selected Reading (SSR) - Test Prep - Part I - Part II • Avoid putting any handouts in pockets on the inside of your notebook. • Keep it in the room on the designated shelves, always placing it neatly. • Put a label with your name on the side of the binder. • Always be prepared to have a spot check on your notebook for a grade.

Mercy Moments • If you need to LEAVE class, you should: • Make sure that it is an emergency, as you only get THREE for the ENTIRE QUARTER. • You MUST use a Mercy Moment for a hall pass. • Ask me politely during down time in class and not when I am lecturing. • Go where you said you would, and be back within FIVE minutes. • At the end of the quarter, each unused passwill be used as extra credit.

Mercy Moments • Remember that the passes can only be used at my discretion. • Remember that if you have a medical issue that requires you to use the restroom more often than three passes will allow, you need to have a doctor’s note on file in the office. If this is the case, please provide me with a copy of the note for my files. • Remember that I keep track of how many passes you use.

Getting Supplies • If you need to get SUPPLIES like kleenex or hand sanitizer or if you need to throw away trash or sharpen your pencil during class, you should: • Wait until it won’t be a distraction for others or me if I am teaching at that point. • Move quickly and quietly at the appropriate time to limit distractions.

When Not in the Classroom • When we are in a LOCATION other than the classroom, you should: • Still follow all applicable rules and procedures for this class. • Walk quietly and in an orderly fashion to the destination (this means do not hit the lockers, shout, peer in classrooms, or look like you are having too much fun!).

Food and Drink • When thinking about bringing FOOD or DRINK to class, you should: • Remember that food, unless provided by me, is NOT allowed. I do not like bugs and do not want to have them as pets in my classroom. • Remember that water is allowed if it is in a sealed bottle.

Progress Reports • When you get a PROGRESS report, you should: • Look at it carefully to make sure that you don’t have any questions. • Let me know if there is a problem by calmly and politely approaching me after class. If you do not have time to approach me after class, write a note on the progress report and hand it to me as you are leaving.

Seating Charts • When you are put into a new SEATING chart, you should: • Find your seat calmly, without complaining. • Let me know if there is a significant problem with where I have placed you in the seating chart, at the end of class that day. I will not listen to you unless you sat without complaining in the seat for that day. • Remember that you will always be in an assigned seat in my class, and that you cannot decide to move seats without talking to me. • Know that I take a great deal of time and care in creating seating charts. I make decisions about where students should sit to help maximize your success in this class. • The computer tables and the computer chairs are never going to be assigned as a seat. Do not sit at one of these tables and do not move or sit in the computer chairs.

Class Participation • When ANSWERING questions and PARTICIPATING in class discussions, you should: • Realize that 10% of your grade each quarter comes from classroom participation and preparedness. This grade is based on a number of collective factors: • participation in class discussion • participation in warm-up activity • completing effort-based assignments, etc.

Class Participation • The following things could have a negative impact on your participation grade: • tardies • using your cell phone or other electronic device • sleeping in class • eating in class • excessive talking or class disruption • being off task • not being prepared when class begins, etc.

Class Participation • I will have a card with your name on it and will mark it daily and throughout class. The points will be compiled at the end of the quarter and will count as your participation grade. • Always attempt to answer the question, even if you are not sure of the answer. • Be prepared at any time to answer a question from me. If you are not prepared, you will lose five points from your participation grade.

Extra Credit • If you are interested in earning EXTRA credit, you should: • Be aware that extra credit is earned, not given. • Listen carefully to directions for extra credit opportunities. Not following directions may mean that you don’t get the extra credit. • Know that extra credit NEVER replaces an existing grade. • Realize that extra credit is not given on an individual basis, but is something offered to the entire class. • Realize that if you want to improve your grade, put more effort into daily assignments, quiz grades, and studying for tests and be sure to take advantage of extra credit opportunities when they come along, but do not count on extra credit assignments to help boost your grade.

Listening to Directions • When listening to me give DIRECTIONS, you should: • Give me your full and undivided attention, as I will not repeat directions if you were not listening. • Wait to ask questions until all directions are given. • Realize that if you were not listening and need to ask questions, you should ask your classmates first for clarification before you ask me.

Substitutes • When there is a SUBSTITUTE, you should: • Follow all classroom rules and procedures, just as if I were here. • Be respectful and follow the directions given by the substitute, as I will always leave lesson plans and will expect them to be completed. • Realize that the substitute will report back to me, and there will be penalties for students who misbehave. • Realize that any trips you make to the restroom or to get water WILL count as a Mercy Moment.

Ending Class • When you are preparing for class to END, you should: • Do not stop working until I have ended class • Complete your wrap-up for the day • Put your binder on the shelf and check your desk to be sure that it is clean and all things are put away • Do not line up at the door. Return to your seat and stay seated until the bell rings.

Tutoring • When you need extra HELP or need to stay after school to make-up tests, etc., you should: • Know that I am here the following times each week for tutoring: - Tuesday, 7:45-8:45 am in room #619 - Tuesday, 4:00-6:00 pm in the Media Center - Thursday, 4-6pm in room #619 • Additionally, I am here the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 8:00-11:00 am • If none of the times listed above work for you, please talk to me and we can try to make other arrangements • Even if I am scheduled to be here, it is always a good idea to let me know when you plan to come for tutoring

Grading When looking at your GRADES, you should remember that the following grading scale will be used in this class: • Test – 25% • Classwork – 20% • Quiz – 15% • Vocabulary/Grammar – 15% • Practice Passages – 10% • Participation – 10% • Self-Selected Reading – 5%

Grading • Remember that ALL grades add up and contribute to your final average, so it’s important to do your best on all of your work. • Understand that some daily grades are based on effort and are graded using the following scale. If no effort is given, the resulting grade will be a ZERO. • A = 99 • B = 89 • C = 79 • D = 69 • F = 59

Being Successful • If you want to know how to be SUCCESSFUL in my class, you should: • Avoid hanging out in the doorway or in the hall during class. This could prevent other students from entering class and can cause a back-up as class begins. Please come in and get started on your work right away. • Do not pass notes where I can see them. Gain some pride and learn how to pass notes without me seeing them! • Stay awake at all times, never snoring or drooling on my desk and realize that if you have your head down and your eyes closed, then I will bother you because you are sleeping away your education!

Being Successful • Do not insult other teachers on staff (or me, for that matter). • Never pick up the phone in the classroom, yell to the person on the other end of the line, or hit the button to imitate the phone ringing. • Never throw things across the classroom, as they frequently find my body as the target.

Being Successful • Always have a writing utensil…I have VERY little patience with this one! • Always read and follow all directions before asking me questions. • Learn how to stay organized and neat, even down to how you staple your papers. • ALWAYS PUT A PERIOD AT THE END OF EVERY COMPLETE THOUGHT. You will lose a point every time you don’t put a period at the end of a complete thought.

Being Successful • Do not damage my property or the property of other students by writing on walls, desks, books, etc. • Know that it is socially unacceptable to wear hats in the building. I am sorry if you are having a bad hair day or if you think this is a dumb social norm; however, in this class, you are expected to not wear hats. • Do not sit at my desk or rearrange/plunder in my things.

Being Successful • Do not read or work on assignments from another class unless you have finished all of your work for my class • Do not work on make-up work instead of the current classwork. This will not help you catch up, but, rather, will keep you perpetually behind. • Do not put IDK if you don’t know an answer. If you don’t know the answer leaving it blank will suffice.

Ms. Johnson ’ s Classroom Rules